British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton to miss final Test against Wallabies with injury

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SHATTERED Lions skipper Sam Warburton is out of the series-deciding Test against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday night after scans confirmed a significant hamstring tear.

Flanker Warburton limped of late in the British and Irish Lions' 16-15 loss to the Wallabies in Melbourne last Saturday night but any chance for him to be part of a bounce-back has been cruelling ripped from him.

Warburton remained in Melbourne on Sunday when his squad-mates headed to Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast for their final test camp.

Lions team doctor Eanna Falvey was with Warburton when a full assessment revealed what the Lions camp today announced as "a significant tear in his left hamstring" which means "no further part in the tour."

Welshman Warburton played one of his finest Tests last weekend when his breakdown work earned several penalties and pilfers.

He will be sorely missed. It opens the door for Ireland's Sean O'Brien or Welsh countryman Justin Tipuric to wear the No.7 in the deciding Test.

It also casts centre Brian O'Driscoll as captain-elect because the tourists have now lost two players who have captained the Lions...Warburton and lock Paul O'Connell (broken arm).

"It is incredibly disappointing to be ruled out of the tour through injury as we head to Sydney for the deciding match," Warburton said.

"I wish the team all the best and hope I can play some part in the build up this week.

I am confident that the boys can finish the job off and secure the series win."